Page 37 of Riding Dirty for Christmas

“What?” He shrugs, but I catch the hint of a smile beneath his beard. “Look at them, Cat.”

Caterina's face breaks into a knowing grin. “It's about time you two figured it out.”

“What?” Eden's shock vibrates through her whole body.

“You're not exactly subtle, son. The way you two look at each other across the dinner table...” Robert chuckles, moving to set the bags on the bar. “You've got good judgment, son. Always have.”

My chest tightens at those words. Hearing that validation hits deep.

“Told you,” I whisper in Eden's ear, earning an elbow to my ribs.

“You're... okay with this?” Eden asks carefully, her hand finding mine.

Caterina waves dismissively, already pulling containers from the bags. “Honey, the way that boy looks at you? Like you hung the moon and stars? That's all any mother wants for her daughter.”

The tension drains from Eden's shoulders. I press a kiss to her temple, not caring that our parents are watching. She's mine now, officially. No more hiding.

“Let's eat before everything gets cold,” Caterina says, already unpacking containers. The familiar scent of General Tso's and fried rice fills the air.

Eden moves to help, but I catch her wrist. “Stay.”

The casual touch feels different now - allowed, acknowledged. She settles back beside me, her thigh pressed against mine.

“Jack, there's extra duck sauce in here somewhere...” Dad rummages through the takeout bags, his movements more relaxed.

“Found it,” Dad says, tossing me the sauce packets. Just like that, we're back to normal. Better than normal.

Dinner passes in a blur of conversation and laughter. The evening has settled into something comfortable, like we've been doing family dinners for years.

Eden catches my eye, that little half-smile playing at her lips. She's relaxed now, nothing like the tense woman from earlier. The way she fits here, laughing with our parents, sharing stories - it feels right.

My father's approval shows in small ways - passing dishes, asking Eden's opinion, including her naturally. The familiar routine of setting up feels different now - lighter somehow. Like we can breathe again.

“Robert, we should get going. Early meeting tomorrow.”

“Need help closing up?” Robert asks, but his eyes drift to the stairs leading to my apartment.

“We're good. I've got some inventory to finish,” I say, keeping my tone neutral. Eden's hand finds mine under the bar.

“Don't stay up too late doing inventory,” Caterina says with a knowing smile.

She hugs Eden, whispering something that makes Eden blush. Then she's hugging me too, her perfume wrapping around us like a cloud.

Caterina pauses at the door, her eyes soft in the Christmas lights. “The tree looks beautiful, honey. And that mistletoe placement?” She winks. “Very strategic. You two make a good team.”

Eden rolls her eyes but accepts another quick hug from her mother. “Night, Mom. Robert.”

Robert nods, a ghost of a smile under his beard.

We watch them leave, closing the door as cold air rushes in. Eden leans against me, tension draining from her shoulders.

“Well,” she says, “that went better than expected.”

“Could've been worse.” I start wiping down tables. “If they had walked in ten minutes later, they would've found you with your pants around your ankles and your panties stuffed in your mouth.”

I meet her eyes, not even trying to hide my satisfied smirk as I watch her reaction to my comment.

Eden throws a fortune cookie at my head. I catch it one-handed, crack it open.

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